Dock Walk Part Two

Time to renew our walk across the flagstone steps to the gravel path to the edge of our finger of the river from my prior post. (Click on photos for a bigger view, of course)

Today is really hot and muggy so I hope you brought your sunhat! Fall is on its way from the angle of the sun in the early morning, but by mid-morning it is once again unbearable unless you are in the shade or sopping wet. Some brave ones are out there in their kayaks this morning. It is now later in the day and the sound of a chain saw cutting down a tree across the river is disturbing the peace, but perhaps these three do not mind.

Below is what the marsh on the left looked like last fall.

And above taken at another time but giving a better shot at low tide. You can see that the rock surf wall is there in the distance but the geese and ducks have cleaned the sand of the planted marsh grasses. We are going to see if that can be resolved as they form an excellent habitat for small creatures and a good buffer for the surf.

There are three boxes planted with grass at different heights of sand. Hubby wants to see which works better. He will put unattractive wooden stakes with flags to hopefully discourage the geese when they return. This is not based on anything he has seen work. Just his crazy project.  Although the use of flags on stakes has been done by others.

On the right-hand side of the dock above is our new project of more "living reef" which is a rock wall several feet out from the shoreline and with open spaces for fish and crabs, etc to swim in and out and protect themselves from larger predators. It helps break up boat wake and storm surge while also providing habitat for living things during the rest of the time. The rock wall, which rests on black plastic to prevent it from sinking, will curve around following the yellow tape with two open spaces to allow living things to swim through.  You cannot see but the stakes are stuck in reef balls under the water that we hope will encourage the spat to settle from our oyster floats beneath our dock.  Our neighbor on this side is quite happy to go along and help pay for half.  We will save a lot by doing this ourselves, even hiring help on the weekends.

Below is a photo of what most people do to protect their shoreline because it is cheaper and faster. But not much can live against a wall like that, only snails and silverfish. 

And, surprise, who do I see who cannot wait for the helpers that will be coming over the weekend. He is piling rocks to make it easier for them...!!  He loves his projects.  I think I will go take a nap.....ok, after I exercise.